Andrea's Newsletters From November, December 2005 and January 2006

News from Andrea

Newsletter from Andrea Annunziata — Church Planting with New Tribes Mission in Papua New Guinea

January 2006

Moving In

I want to thank you all for praying for me as I prepared and then moved up to Lapilo, New Tribes Mission’s support base here in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG). After a few delays my container arrived from Madang bringing my furniture and household items….with only a mild fish smell (the same shipping company also transports fish).

So now I’m almost settled and ready for my next trip. This Thursday, January 12, I will be flying home for a short 7 week visit. I sure would appreciate your prayers during this very long trip (over 25 hours of flying). I leave PNG early on Thursday and first must go to Australia before flying to Los Angeles (and then on to Washington DC).

I also wanted to pass along my new address and phone number. While my e-mail address remains the same you will find my new information below.

Thanks for all your prayers and support,

Andrea Annunziata


NEW Field address:

New Tribes Mission
PO Box 1079
Goroka, EHP 441
PAPUA NEW GUINEA

December 05, 2005

I’m still here!

No, I didn’t drop off the face of the mountains in Mibu…but what a busy last month I have had. My time in Mibu wrapped up and I returned to the Madang base on Thanksgiving morning. As I said in my last update it was such an exciting time in Mibu. The teaching is still going on and will continue for several more months. Please continue to pray with me for the Mibu people.

What’s Next?

As you may recall I am currently waiting for another single girl before I am able to move into a tribal location. I have been praying for the last couple of months about what I should do while I wait. Over the last couple of weeks the Lord has directed me to take a temporary position at our supply base (Lapilo) in the highlands of PNG. I will be taking over the field secretary job for the next year and a half. I want to thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement while I made this decision. It was not an easy one but I am glad that I will be able to help out and support tribal missions during this time of transition.

So at the beginning of next year I will be moving to the highlands but before I start my new job I have one more trip to make. I will be going to Maryland and Virginia for a mini furlough. While my travel plans are not finalized yet I am working on coming some time in mid January and returning to PNG in early March. This will enable me to be part of my home church’s mission’s conference…and of course I’ll be visiting with friends and family.

Praises:
1. Safe trip out from Mibu.
2. Complete recovery from my first bout of malaria.
3. The ability to help out as the field secretary.
4. My up and coming mini furlough. I thank the Lord for those who are providing the funds for the tickets and many other expenses.

Prayer Requests:
1. Mibu teaching.
2. Wisdom and strength as I move to Lapilo and prepare to 3. 3. Come home for a short visit.

Thanks so much for all your support. If you have any questions or want to schedule a time to get together with me while I’m home, please drop me an e-mail. I’m looking for any excuse to get together over some Starbucks coffee!

November 5, 2005

Greetings from Mibu-land!

Thank you so much for all your prayers concerning my quick decision to come visit out here. I can hardly believe that my 7 week bush stay is half over. And words can't describe how exciting it was to ride in a helicopter and land in the midst of jungle mountains! I also want to thank you for praying for my supplies. All arrived safely and while there are no stores around here I do have tribal friends coming to my door daily selling wonderful garden produce.

And thanks also for praying for the teaching. These first few weeks are very important as they lay the necessary foundation of who God is and His mighty works through creation. The guys have taught through the creation of man and it has been really neat to hear some of the people's questions. One guy asked if Hell was a real place or not. Another asked where Adam and Eve are today.

With a little encouragement from Angie and Brooke, the Mibu women have been asking questions too! Just last week a woman asked Angie, "When will we be like you? You missionaries walk around at night and aren't scared of Satan?
When will I be able to walk around at night and not be scared?" This woman is most likely thinking that we hold some magical key to power and prosperity and yet she will soon learn Who holds the true power.

So since I don't speak Ma (language of Mibu) I bet you are wondering what I have been up to. Since the mountains here are so rugged and slippery, I have been taking it easy but have been able to make it down to the main village for most of the teaching. While there I'm able to help out by taking pictures and video. I've also been able to exercise my Tok Pidgin and ask a few basic questions about the teaching. On the hour hike back to our homes I usually enjoy chatting with some Mibu girls about the lessons....that is when I can draw a breath!

Prayer Requests:
1. Wisdom for the missionaries as they teach and answer questions.

2. Open hearts and understanding of the Mibu people.

3. Safety as we hike up and down the mountains. Sometimes the "trail" hugging the mountain is right next to a steep drop off. We have also been getting a lot of rain which has made the hike even more strenuous.

November 7, 2005

Hi Guys, I know I just sent out an update but I just couldn't wait to share with you what happened today (Monday). The Mibu people have asked for a week break in the teaching as many have coffee they need to take to the coast. So the missionaries are planning on using this week to spend some
extra time getting around to those who missed some of the lessons or have been unable to hear.

Here is the really cool thing that happened today: Angie and Chris Walker were going to go over a couple of the lessons with a woman who missed all last week. (She gave birth last Saturday). So I ran over to my "house" to get my camera. There were some ladies sitting on my porch wanting to talk.
They asked why I was rushing and when I told them they decided to come along. One of these women who came with me was Poy's mom (you usually call people here by their relationship to others....gets kind of confusing). I have attached a small picture of her laughing at something Chris is saying. Well, about half way through the final review questions Poy's mom started crying. I didn't find out later what she was saying but when Angie told me it gave me goose bumps. Chris was reviewing what things were like in the Garden of Eden before man sinned. Poy's mom started crying and saying,
"What has happened? What went wrong? It was all good. All God's creation was good. What went wrong? Why are things like they are now?" We were all kind of surprised at her outburst. Angie tells me that the Mibu people are normally very reserved. Chris then explained to her that God's Word tells us what happened and that very soon we will get to that part.

Since hearing Angie tell me what Poy's mom said I can hardly get it out of my head. How many of us have been broken when we think about what this world was like before sin entered it? Please pray with me for the Mibu women...women like Poy and her mom....women who are just starting to truly
understand the greatest message of their lives. Pray with me that the Spirit will continue to draw the Mibu people to Himself.

Serving with you,
Andrea Annunziata

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!

"We have a God who delights in impossibilities."
- Andrew Murray

Thanks again,
Andrea
Philippians 4:18

NEW Field address:

New Tribes Mission
PO Box 1079
Goroka, EHP 441
PAPUA NEW GUINEA  

Phone #011-675-731-4492

email: andrea_annunziata@ntm.org

Business address:

New Tribes Mission
1000 East First St.
Sanford, FL  32771
www.ntm.org

Greetings from Papua New Guinea!

If you feel that the Lord is directing you to help out financially, please make your check out to New Tribes Mission

(business address above) and attach a note saying, “To the ministry of Andrea Annunziata.”

I will receive 100% of your support and you will get a tax-deductible receipt.

If you feel that the Lord is directing you to help out financially, please make your check out to New Tribes Mission

(business address above) and attach a note saying, “To the ministry of Andrea Annunziata.”

I will receive 100% of your support and you will get a tax-deductible receipt.